Select your building

• Measure the area where you plan to build a pole barn. Visit lumberyards to find out what kind of DIY pole barn kits are available. Also explore customized pole barn options. Take into consideration the size, the exterior walls, the roof, the floor, the windows and the doors. Each of these options can add costs to the project.
  
  Contact your local zoning commission before you purchase anything to make sure you can get the appropriate permits. If you can build a pole barn in your municipality, begin the process of getting all the necessary building permits so when the pole barn materials arrive, you can begin building.
  
  Call your local utilities to make sure you can safely dig holes for your pole barn without hitting any utility lines. Also, look overhead to make sure you don't have any overhead electrical wires to deal with.
  
  

Set the poles

• Use stakes and string to mark the location of the pole barn. Make sure the corners are square.
  
  Dig holes for the poles. Since these holes need to be deep, you may want to rent a gas-powered post hole digger or a tractor with a post hole digger. This can save a lot of physical labor.
  
  Set the poles according to the kit directions. Space them according to your plans. Brace them as necessary to keep them vertical.
  
  

Put in the floor

• Level the ground inside your pole barn. Put in small gravel and sand to cover the soil. If you are pouring concrete, build forms around the outside of the poles. If the gravel and sand are going to be the floor of your pole barn, proceed to the next step.
  
  Set rebar in place. Pour concrete in your pole barn. Allow it to cure.
  
  

Frame the walls

• Follow directions for your DIY pole barn kit for framing. Most pole barns have several courses of horizontal boards between each pole. These give the barn added stability and help the poles support the weight of the roof and the sides.
  
  Build the frames for the doors and windows. Additional bracing may be necessary to carry the weight of overhead doors.
  
  

Set the roof

• Use a forklift or crane to set the rafters in place. If you have a small pole barn, you may be able to do this with help from friends. Tie the rafters to the poles and top horizontal course of wood framing.
  
  Put the roofing materials on the pole barn. Typically, corrugated metal is used, but you can put a shingled roof on a pole barn.
  
  

Add the sides

• Attach whatever siding material you chose. This material can attach directly to the pole barn framing wood.
  
  

Finish the pole barn

• Add the windows to the pole barn. Set the doors in place. Finish the exterior with paint if necessary. Run electricity into your pole barn if it was part of your plans.